Breakfast - the happy meal
By zandi458
@zandi458 (28102)
Malaysia
March 30, 2010 8:41am CST
"Want to know the secret to a smarter, happier and slimmer you"? Eat Breakfast! That was the advised by Nestle Nutritionist.
Many people do not realise this, but eating the first meal of the day is vital in helping them think, feel and even look better. It also sets the tone of the rest of the day. "Recent studies indicated that people who eat breakfast regularly enjoy a more positive attitude, and they are slimmer and have better mental performance." The reason is because our body uses sugar, or glucose, in the blood for energy. When we wake up, our blood sugar level is low because we've been fasting overnight. So eating a nutritious and balanced breakfast helps to provide enough energy to kick start the day.
Even for those who wakes up late like me, usually close to lunch time, I'll always eat something before the main meal for lunch. It is not advisable to wait for lunch time and go for brunch. We cannot compensate breakfast by eating a bit more at lunch, because it doesn't work that way. This might do more harm than good for your figure and health.
Although eating breakfast is encouraged, some breakfast are too rich like our Malaysian breakfasts of Nasi Lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk) and roti canai (local pancake) can be dangerous if taken regularly. It is good to take different types of food for breakfast so that we may benefit from different types of nutrients.
Are you a regular breakfast eater? What are the usual breakfast in your home? It is good to know what others eat for their breakfast.
7 people like this
36 responses
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
31 Mar 10
this is a very nice information zandi. i never heard something detailed like this before about what the benefits of having a good breakfast. but i know it is best to have breakfast. though i am not a regular breakfast eater, i still find time to take a break at ten so have something, even a light breakfast. i can't seem to work better when i am full. 
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
31 Mar 10
I am a health conscious freak.. Anything about health and foods interest me. Skipping breakfast will tend to make people have 'cravings' and load up on lunch because they have missed breakfast. Eating breakfast may correct this as it curbs the hunger seen later in the day, which usually results in overeating. I always insist that my kids take breakfast before they go to school. Lack of food for energy in the morning may not only adversely affect a child's learning and performance in school, but it can also cause behavioural problems among them.
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
31 Mar 10
actually, it's just me and my wife who are not into breakfast. we just have our own cup of coffee each morning before doing our own works. but the kids, they are surely go to school with full stomach in the morning, and that is a rule for them.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
31 Mar 10
Hi zandi! I am the perfect example of what not to do and how
not to eat! I have never really been a breakfast eater, except
when I was working I would grab a donut or bagel because I
did something for energy! Now that I don't go to bed sometimes
until the early morning hours and have no real schedule I
don't eat until dinner which can be 9:00PM! So, I only eat
one meal late at night and I am getting way too heavy so I am
definitely doing something very wrong! I know that I should be
eating three normal meals a day, but since I get up way past
breakfast time and I am not hungry I just don't eat! Whatever
I am doing is really bad because I am eating late and then
I don't do anything but go lie down and watch tv! Hence the
weight gain! I have to change my schedule soon before I blow
up!
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
31 Mar 10
Hey Zandi, humpty dumpty is a good description is a good description of me, lol.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
30 Mar 10
HI ZANDI, I do eat breakfast every day. I love breakfast foods. This morning i had scrambled eggs, sliced tomatoes & a piece of toast. I really like bacon, sauge, ham etc. but i'm trying to make some changes in my eating due to some medical problens i have.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
31 Mar 10
U are right but i'm doing better than i was leaving off the meat. I just can't get in to eating cold cereal & things like that for breakfast. Seems like breakfast is the worse for me to cut back on. Doing pretty good w/the other meals[ for me anyway, lol.]
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
30 Mar 10
I cannot go too long through the day without having breakfast. My energy levels drop and I start to feel sick if I do not eat in the first couple of hours that I am awake. My breakfasts are usually smoothies these days. In the past it was always toast and coffee, but I have moved onto healthier eating now. 
My smoothies always have 4 or 5 bananas, some Sun Warrior protein powder, honey, sometimes frozen blueberries and raspberries, dried Goji Berries, leafy greens such as spinach and sometimes other superfood powders. Sometimes I soak some raw cashews in them and other times I use almond milk or just plain filtered water. 
My smoothies always have 4 or 5 bananas, some Sun Warrior protein powder, honey, sometimes frozen blueberries and raspberries, dried Goji Berries, leafy greens such as spinach and sometimes other superfood powders. Sometimes I soak some raw cashews in them and other times I use almond milk or just plain filtered water. @RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
31 Mar 10
Goji berries are very high in vitamin C, so they are very beneficial to your health. I love them and have taken a few berries and planted them and now have seedlings growing. Hopefully in the next few years I will have lots of Goji Berry fruit in my backyard. 
I am glad you like my new Avatar. Hopefully I do not look too matured! 
I am glad you like my new Avatar. Hopefully I do not look too matured! 
@unique16 (1531)
• United States
1 Apr 10
Hello Zandi458,
Yes, I love breakfast. I am breakfast person to cereal to eggs and toast and scrapple to just a bagel. Sometimes if I work my two jobs and I get home late and I am very hungery in the morning I have a hogie. It is healhty and get my vegetables in earl for the day. If I miss breakfast I get really cranky by noon time all I can think about is food. Yes, It makes me feel more postive in the morning and I get my work done. I hate when I have to fast to get blood work done like today. My annual phyical checkup etc.. On the weekends it more sweet breakfast and relaxful to enjoy like raisin ice muffins or donuts or cinnamon rolls and that nature.
Thanks and have Happy Easter
Sincelrey Unique16
@danverxxcore (347)
• Philippines
2 Apr 10
I didnt know pancake was bad if regularly taken. I only eat cereal on breakfast time. Is it nutritious?
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
31 Mar 10
It depends on my mood on what we have for breakfast, and how busy I am with chores. Most days we eat oatmeal for breakfast. But when I have time to cook, I make omelettes with a lot of veggies in it. I usually out in onions, garlic and sometimes tomatoes or potatoes. We rarely have meat for breakfast, and we don't eat processed foods such as hams or sausages. Sometimes we have fried bananas which is a good energy booster.
1 person likes this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
31 Mar 10
Yes this is true. Many people do not eat breakfast anymore because they believe it does not really matter whether they eat this first meal or not. Well they are very wrong. Your post proves so! I do eat breakfast everyday but not heavy breakfast. I love eating slices of fresh tropical fruits like banana, papaya,mangoes, pineapple,watermelons and other fruits in season plus a slice or two of wholewheat bread. Sometimes, I'd eat rolled oatmeal with fruits. I am a fruit lover actually. I feel so incomplete if there would be no plentiful fruits on my table. Any meal of day is not enjoyable to me if fruits will not be included. I am not fond of eating rice for breakfast. It makes me feel so heavy.
Many people do not eat breakfast anymore because they believe it does not really matter whether they eat this first meal or not. Well they are very wrong. Your post proves so! I do eat breakfast everyday but not heavy breakfast. I love eating slices of fresh tropical fruits like banana, papaya,mangoes, pineapple,watermelons and other fruits in season plus a slice or two of wholewheat bread. Sometimes, I'd eat rolled oatmeal with fruits. I am a fruit lover actually. I feel so incomplete if there would be no plentiful fruits on my table. Any meal of day is not enjoyable to me if fruits will not be included. I am not fond of eating rice for breakfast. It makes me feel so heavy. 1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
31 Mar 10
I am never a fan of fruits but now am forced to take them cos of the benefits in eating fruits. My breakfast is quite heavy. Before taking other food on the breakfast table, I take one banana and drink a glass of plain water. Then I start eating my breakfast of toasted wholemeal bread with peanut butter or orange marmalade. Sometimes I go for nasi lemak (a typical malaysian breakfast) I seldom take lunch and the next meal will be dinner.
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
31 Mar 10
Since from young, my parents used to teach us to have breakfast, no matter how early or late we wake-up. It's a healthy practice and should be maintain by anyone. As for me, everyday i am eating different types of food, to make my breakfast looks nice and delicious. Most morning, i will have cake and bread as my breakfast along with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate drink. It's indeed a very healthy habit as it can give us more energy to fulfill our daily work.
1 person likes this
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
30 Mar 10
I don't eat much but always eat something. I usually eat a bowl of cereal with 2%milk or two pieces of toast with butter and jelly.
I have a problem with eggs and only eat them ever so often but I do have them ever once in a while along with bacon and I love biscuits and gravy and add sausage to the gravy and Yummmy !
It depends on if I have company or not and my hubby only has like Carnation Instant breakfast in the mornings.
Sometimes I eat yogurt or cream cheese on toast --I also like hot chocolate and dip buttered toast in it !
I also like bananas cut up with milk on them and maybe some brown sugar.
Pancakes are usually a week end breakfast with bananas in the mix and maple syrup.
And, that bout does it.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
31 Mar 10
I remembered when I was young and staying with the western nuns in a convent, they usually have a kind of biscuit which I really like. I have not seen it here locally anymore. Do you make that biscuit? What is the name of the biscuit. I would like to make it.
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
31 Mar 10
Well, I am a far cry from a nun :) but do make biscuits just the every day kind.
I use Bisquick and it makes a good biscuit whether you drop them or roll them out.
As far as the biscuits go where nuns are concerned I have no idea !
We also a great biscuit at Red Lobster here---it's soft and kinda sweet but has
cheese in it and I do sooo love 'em !
I don't have the recipe for that one and do doubt Red Lobster would share with me!
Good luck!
@louierrific24 (1114)
• Philippines
30 Mar 10
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It gives us the energy to start our day. I never skip breakfast.
@umit_umit (1984)
• India
30 Mar 10
yeah breakfast meal is the happiest meal when u got up and have somethinfg good!true
1 person likes this
@fallingfan (445)
• United States
1 Apr 10
I (almost) always eat some type of breakfast, but unfortunately I don't often eat a very healthy one. We usually have cereal here.
@ambreenahsan (3)
• India
1 Apr 10
hey.. when it comes to having your breakfast then i simply follow this...
have breakfast like a king...
share your lunch with a friend..
and give away your dinner to your enemies...
i think that explains the importance of breakfast.
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
31 Mar 10
You are correct. Breakfast is vital for good health and to aid ourselves to remain sharp and on the ball.
I eat muesli for breakfast or else a protein drink that consists of yogurt, banana and some vanilla protein powder with a dash of cream.
It is interesting to know what others are eating fro breakfast too. Can provide us with ideas as well since it is fun to keep things interesting.
Rice in coconut milk does sound rather rich. Not something I could eat for breakfast regularly.
Yes, I am a regular breakfast eater. Sometimes, I will skip breakfast but not often.
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
4 Apr 10
Yes coconut milk is a saturated fat. Not good. In small amounts perhaps.
Bananas are a good source of potassium as is all bran.
I used to eat bananas every morning also but I switch it up with muesli, grapefruit or a protien drink whipped up in the blender. Thanks for your comment. Cheers.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
1 Apr 10
Yep, I do. It's not helping me lose any weight though. Bagels and cream cheese, cereal and rice milk, eggs and sausage, pancakes, waffles...
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
1 Apr 10
I never used to eat anything before twelve p.m. until I made some changes and began to include breakfast to my day. I still cannot eat very much but I manage to have a glass of vegetable juice a bowl of All Bran and a cup of tea. I do feel better at least having a little meal. It took a while to get used to eating in the morning but as I said it has made me feel healthier and more ‘regular’ if you know what I mean!
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
2 Apr 10
I've always been quite trim although I gained a couple of kilos last year and I am having a hard time trying to lose them! I blame the Kit Kats and my husband for buying them!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
19 Oct 10
Unfortunately, I'm not a person that is able to eat breakfast on a regular basis. I've tried many times to get myself into the habit of eating breakfast on a regular basis, but it has always been something that has never worked for me.
When we do have breakfast in our house, however, we tend to have cold and hot cereal as well as fresh fruit, juice and milk in the house. These are all winners in our home.
@why2854 (4)
• China
1 Apr 10
i got a gall-stone last year,which depressed me.however,nowadays there is not effective ways to cure it.even we do not know how.but a popular saying is connected with not eating breakfast.so breakfast very important not only the smarter, happier and slimmer,but also the health.
